:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46827832/usa-today-8424877.0.jpg)
Norfolk Tides 2, Durham (Rays) 0
This game began its life on July 3, but was suspended due to weather at that time. Four scoreless innings were added to Mike Wright's statistics despite the fact that he did not throw a pitch on Friday. Steve Johnson picked up where Wright left off by blanking the Bulls for three innings.
Norfolk grabbed two runs in the sixth inning, one each driven in by Christian Walker and Dariel Alvarez. Both of those players had multi-hit games, as did Michael Almanzar. Dana Eveland (yes, really) threw a scoreless eighth, while Oliver Drake, recently activated from the disabled list, pitched the ninth for his 13th save.
Norfolk Tides 3, Durham (Rays) 2 (7 innings)
Calling Walker's name again - in the regularly-scheduled game, he went 3-3 including a double. He's been hot lately, as well he needs to be, since he was not hot to start out the season. I'm about ready to see what he can do instead of Chris Parmelee. "Christian" and "Chris" - it's basically keeping the roster composition the same. They're even both lefty-hitting first basemen!
Zach Davies started this game for Norfolk, holding the Bulls to two runs on six hits in six innings of work. He did not walk anybody and struck out four batters. That'll do.
The Bulls have a player named Boog Powell, no relation to our Boog Powell, who went hitless in both of these games from Durham's leadoff spot.
Bowie Baysox 5, Harrisburg (Walgreens) 1
The Orioles offense blew last night, but don't fret, because Steve Melewski is here to make you feel better:
Maybe this helps - O's top minors teams crushing it. Norfolk is 58-41, 2gm lead & best record in IL. Bowie's TDoyle wins 12th 2 lead minors.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) July 25, 2015
What possesses a beat writer to tweet something like this? We may never know. The facts about Norfolk and Bowie are true. Terry Doyle, who is 29 but still a pretty neat story, did in fact win his 12th game last night, holding the Senators to just one run on a solo home run despite the fact that he gave up 11 hits in 7.2 innings. He has a 2.02 ERA. But just... no. No.
My main man Mashin' (Trey) Mancini kept doing his thing, grabbing three hits including a double in the game. Over 41 games he is now batting .360/.390/.596. Note that he doesn't walk, and probably never will walk, so whatever he does, it'll be based on his batting average and power, and that, at least so far, is pretty good.
Both teams had 12 hits in the game. The Baysox got five runs despite an Oriolesque 1-12 with RISP. Take what you can get.
Frederick Keys 5, Potomac (Walgreens) 1
Five runs on eight hits for Frederick - that's making the most of your chances. Chance Sisco had himself a good night, grabbing two hits including a double. He also stole his eighth base of the year. A catcher stealing eight bases? The minor leagues are silly sometimes. I am reminded of the time Joe Mahoney stole 29 bases for Delmarva.
Again, both teams had the same number of hits, eight in this case. But it was Frederick who scored the runs. Starter Matt Taylor held the P-Nats to three hits and no runs over five innings of work. He did this while issuing no walks and recording no strikeouts. You don't see that every day.
Aside: P-Nats manager Tripp Keister was ejected from the game. Haha, his name is Keister.
Charleston (Yankees) 8, Delmarva Shorebirds 7
After giving up five runs in the first inning, the Shorebirds rallied to tie the game up at 5-5 and again at 6-6, but the eighth run allowed was just one too many. Ademar Rifaela came a triple short of the cycle for the Shorebirds, scoring three runs in the game. MILB.com says his full name is Ademar Bertty Aloysius Rifaela, which is all kinds of awesome. He'll be 21 in November and is sporting a .743 OPS in his first taste of a full season minor league.
RiverDogs shortstop Jorge Mateo stole his 67th base in this game. That is not a typo. That's just bonkers. Remember this name for some years down the road, because if he doesn't get traded, we might be seeing him swiping bases against the O's.
Saturday's Schedule
Norfolk: vs. Durham, 7:05 (Post-game fireworks!) Starter: Chris Jones
Bowie: at Harrisburg, 6:00. Starter: TBD
Frederick: vs. Winston-Salem (Christmas in July!) Starter: Luis Gonzalez
Delmarva: at Augusta, 7:05. Starter: John Means
Aberdeen: vs. Williamsport, 7:05. (Christmas in July!) Starter: TBD
For complete box scores from Friday's games, including the adventures of Aberdeen and the GCL and DSL Orioles, take a look here.